barley

noun

bar·​ley ˈbär-lē 

: a cereal grass (genus Hordeum and especially H. vulgare) having the flowers in dense spikes with long awns and three spikelets at each joint of the rachis

also : its seed used especially in malt beverages, breakfast foods, and stock feeds

Examples of barley in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Single pot still is arguably the essential Irish whiskey style—made in a pot still at one distillery from a mashbill of malted and unmalted barley. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 6 Mar. 2026

Foods rich in prebiotic fiber include green bananas, legumes, oats, barley, cabbage, artichokes, asparagus, kimchi, and sauerkraut. —Hannah Coates, Vogue, 5 Mar. 2026

Oats and barley are rich in beta-glucan, a soluble fiber that supports healthy gut bacteria. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 27 Feb. 2026

This beef soup loaded with barley will keep you warm and satisfied in chillier months. —Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 24 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English barly, from Old English bærlic of barley; akin to Old English bere barley, Latin far spelt

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing barley

• barley-bree
• barley-broo
• barley sugar
• barley wine

Rhymes for barley

• charley
• charlie
• marly
• bizarrely

Kids Definition

barley

noun

bar·​ley ˈbär-lē 

: a cereal grass with flowers in dense spikes

also : its seed used especially in malt beverages, in foods (as soups and cereals), or as feed for livestock

Medical Definition

barley

noun

bar·​ley ˈbär-lē 

: a cereal grass (genus Hordeum, especially H. vulgare) having the flowers in dense spikes with long awns

also : its seed used in malt beverages and in breakfast foods and stock feeds